Basketball (M) Links

Trojans Hold Off Mars Hill, 78-70

November 17, 2004

ANDERSON, S.C. -- Anderson College placed three players in double figures and survived a second-half rally by Mars Hill to beat the Lions, 78-70 Wednesday night at the Abney Center. Anderson, 1-0 overall, was led by Randy Javois and John LeSueur with 12 points apiece and Drew Keenan with 10 points. Mars Hill, 1-1, was led by Jeremiah Tinch with a game-high 28 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Anderson, which led 38-35 at the half, opened the second half with a 21-10 run to build a 59-45 lead with 10:44 to play. Alfred Boykin scored all seven of his points during the run. From that point, Mars Hill turned up the defensive pressure and started climbing back into the game. Seven straight points by Tinch cut the Anderson lead to 59-50 with 9:41 left. Anderson's lead stayed between nine and 11 points until the five-minute mark when Mars Hill made another push. Two 3-point goals by Kirby Lee, who finished with 17 points, and a putback by Tinch made it 68-65 Anderson with 3:17 remaining. After a field goal by Keenan, Lee scored another 3-point basket to pull the Lions within two -- 70-68 -- with 2:08 to play. But Javois hit a hook in the lane with 1:30 to play and Osvaldo Haynes had a putback at 1:02 to increase the Anderson lead to 74-68. Mars Hill got no closer than four points in the final minute. Anderson shot 45 percent from the field to 41 percent for Mars Hill. Anderson averaged 1.22 points per possession and had 33 points off the bench. Mars Hill averaged 1.09 points per possession and had 21 points off the bench. Anderson did not have a player rebound in double figures, but the Trojans won the boards, 43-37. Haynes led Anderson with six boards. In the first half, there were nine ties and six lead changes. Mar Hill's last lead was 28-27 5:38 left in the first half. Boykin and Keenan had three steals apiece for Anderson. The two teams will meet again at Mars Hill on Nov. 27. Anderson's next action is Friday in the Lander Classic against Georgia College. Box: Anderson 78, Mars Hill 70